Information backflow may not indicate quantum memory

Abstract

We analyze recent approaches to quantum Markovianity and how they relate to the proper definition of quantum memory. We point out that the well-known criterion of information backflow may not correctly report character of the memory falsely signaling its quantumness. Therefore, as a complement to the well-known criteria, we propose several concepts of elementary dynamical maps. Maps of this type do not increase distinguishability of states which are indistinguishable by von Neumann measurements in a given basis. Those notions and convexity allows us to define general classes of processes without quantum memory in a weak and strong sense. Finally, we provide a practical characterization of the most intuitive class in terms of the new concept of witness of quantum information backflow.